Recreational Drug for Mental Health? - Ketamine Therapy for Depression
- Gabriella Pribyl
- 32 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Introduction
You have probably heard of the drug ketamine. For many people, there is a stigma around this word. Things that may come to mind include partying and substance abuse. However, did you know that a form of ketamine is frequently used as an alternative method of addressing treatment-resistant depression?
What is treatment-resistant depression?
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) occurs when at least two distinct antidepressants don’t improve symptoms of depression. It can develop in people who have previously responded well to medication and affects approximately 30% of people with major depressive disorder (MDD). Symptoms include:
Depressive episodes that last longer and/or are more frequent than for the average person with MDD
Sleep disturbances
Appetite changes
Anhedonia (reduced ability to experience pleasure)
Anxiety
Suicidal ideation
Why ketamine?
Ketamine was born in 1962, when researchers were searching for a better anesthetic. Research into its effects on depression began in 1990. In people with TRD, there are changes in the way neurons in the brain communicate with each other. Studies suggest that ketamine allows for a regrowth of synapses, or connections between neurons. This effect on neuroplasticity, or the nervous system’s ability to adapt structurally and functionally in response to stimuli, makes it an effective approach to treating TRD for many people.
Is therapeutic ketamine the same as the street drug?
Ketamine is made up of two mirror-opposite compounds known as R-ketamine and S-ketamine. Researchers isolated S-ketamine to produce a medication known as esketamine. Typically, esketamine is administered intranasally as a spray. Intravenous ketamine is also available as a treatment option.
Risks of ketamine
As with any medication, there are potential risks and side effects to taking ketamine. Firstly, about 50% of patients find relief, which means that there is a chance it won’t have a positive effect. Because ketamine can cause psychedelic symptoms, some people may find it disorienting and uncomfortable, whereas others may misuse it. Additionally, intravenous ketamine specifically is expensive and inconvenient.
References
18, M. (2024, March 18). Ketamine for depression: How it works. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/ketamine-for-depression
Bai, N. (2023, October 19). Ketamine’s effect on depression may hinge on hope. News Center. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/10/ketamine.html
Ketamine’s promise for severe depression grows, but major questions remain | michigan medicine. (n.d.-a). https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/ketamines-promise-severe-depression-grows-major-questions-remain
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, April 10). Treatment-resistant depression. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/treatment-resistant-depression/art-20044324
Mineo, L. (2024, November 26). Rapid relief for the severely depressed? there’s a catch. Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/11/rapid-relief-for-the-severely-depressed-theres-a-catch/
Puderbaugh, M. (2023, May 1). Neuroplasticity. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811/
Treatment-resistant depression. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, July 11). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24991-treatment-resistant-depression
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, October 27). Cracking the ketamine code. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2023/cracking-the-ketamine-code
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